HomeNewsSen. Marsha Blackburn meets Taiwan president amid China tensions

Sen. Marsha Blackburn meets Taiwan president amid China tensions

Date:

[ad_1]

Remark

BEIJING — Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) met Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Friday in Taipei, the newest U.S. lawmaker to go to the island at a time of tense relations with China.

Blackburn’s go to is the third by U.S. lawmakers this month. U.S. Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s journey in early August plunged cross-strait relations to latest lows and prompted Beijing to launch large-scale navy workout routines within the waters round Taiwan.

Taiwan has been self-ruled for many years and is considered one of Asia’s most vibrant democracies. Nevertheless, Beijing continues to say the island as a part of its territory and responds furiously each time international officers or firms seem to deal with Taiwan as a rustic. The USA and most different governments don’t diplomatically acknowledge Taiwan, to be able to preserve official relations with China.

Taiwan to spice up protection spending to discourage China’s navy menace

In her go to on Friday, Blackburn referred to as Taiwan a “nation” in passing, whereas saying it was essential to assist Taiwan in “preserving its freedom.”

“I’m wanting ahead to a beautiful go to. And sure certainly I do keep in mind my go to fondly in 2008, and the chance to get to see a few of your nation firsthand,” Blackburn informed Tsai, in response to a video posted on Tsai’s official Fb account.

Tsai referred to as Blackburn an “essential and shut pal of Taiwan,” and expressed her hopes that Taiwan can be extra deeply built-in into U.S.-led initiatives within the area. Taiwan has been excluded from the Indo-Pacific Financial Framework, a U.S.-led commerce initiative, although Washington has launched separate commerce negotiations with Taiwan.

“We stay up for working hand-in-hand with america and different like-minded democracies to safeguard peace and stability within the Indo-Pacific area,” Tsai mentioned.

Pelosi vows China won’t isolate Taiwan as navy tensions soar

Pelosi’s go to had sparked the biggest Chinese language navy present of power for the reason that 1995-1996 Taiwan Strait disaster, and Chinese language import bans on some Taiwan items. The high-profile go to infuriated Beijing, which aired warnings to Washington publicly and privately forward of the journey. Chinese language chief Xi Jinping had personally requested President Biden to stop Pelosi’s go to, a request turned down by Biden, The Washington Put up has reported, in response to a senior White Home official who spoke on the situation of anonymity.

A delegation of 5 members of Congress led by Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) visited Taiwan final week, prompting a recent spherical of Chinese language navy drills within the waters across the island.

Alicia Chen in Taipei contributed to this report.

[ad_2]

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here